MHS wrestlers eye No. 5 El Dorado on Thursday

McPherson High wrestling coach Doug Kretzer isn’t sure who he’ll send out to the mat on Thursday when the Bullpups and El Dorado square off in a makeup match between ranked teams.

The dual in El Dorado has a 6 p.m. starting time. El Dorado is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A and the Bullpups are No. 10.

“We have been hit by some injury and illness this week,” Kretzer said. “Numerous kids have missed practice Monday and Tuesday. Hope to get them back, if not we have a lot of quality depth. Garrett Rausch will be out for a while with an elbow injury. This is really disappointing since he has really come on this season. He has been a hammer on JV all season and just won the wrestle-off for 160 pounds two weeks ago.”

Kretzer said the Wildcats will probably be open at a couple of weights, but their others are quality.

“I think they have a couple opens, but where they are tough, they're really tough,” Kretzer said.

The Bullpups’ Scott Radke is ranked No. 2 at 152 pounds while Rhett Edmonson is No. 3 at 120. Brynton Crews and Bailey Yarborough, at 138 and 195, respectively, are No. 6.

Arkansas City is ranked No. 1 and has five wrestlers who are ranked No. 1 in their respective classes.

After Thursday’s dual, the Bullpups turn around and head to Rose Hill Friday for a two-day tournament.